Page 26 of Driftwood Daffodil 3

“Yes it does.” In fact, I could’ve done more. I could’ve gutted the bastard right then and there, and no one would’ve said shit.

“Wow, just when I thought you couldn’t get more arrogant.”

I leaned back against the railing and crossed my arms. “You signed up for this shit, remember that.”

Nova crossed her arms back at me. “I didn’t think bullets would be involved.”

“What the fuck did you think would happen?”

Confusion screwed up her face, and that’s when it hit me. Nova thought she knew who my family was, when in reality she really had no idea. All she had to go off of were rumors and idle gossip. There was no doubt in my mind that she’d come to her own conclusions, based on things that had happened to her brother, but assumptions were a lot different than the truth.

The cool morning breeze wisped past us, as Nova’s expression morphed from confusion, to contemplation, and finally acceptance. Now, she understood. I wasn’t just some asshole with money. My last name had power and was stained with blood.

“Why haven’t you killed me?”

I don’t know if I was impressed by the lack of fear in her tone, or if I was entranced by the way her bright eyes searched mine, but for some reason, I told her the truth.

“I don’t know.”

That was the only answer I could give her, because I didn’t know. She should be dead, but every time I thought about watching the light in her eyes fade, I got a sick feeling in my stomach. As if I actually cared or something.

Sure, I punished Marty for hitting her, but that was about respect, and nothing else. That bruise on her face didn’t piss me off because she was hurt. It was because I wasn’t asked permission first. That was all it was.

My gaze slid down the strap of her tank top, to where her pert nipples were pebbling against the fabric of her shirt.

She was just another chick to use and nothing more.

“I should let Atlee fuck you.”

Nova’s brow rose. “Really?”

No, not really. I wanted to fucking kill him just thinking about it. But I would do it. I’d pass her off to him if that’s what it came to. Because I did not care about Novalee Ford. I refused to.

“Don’t worry.” I hissed at her. “Atlee knows how to fuck.”

“I’m sure he does.”

How the fuck did she know that? He already touched her, didn’t he? That motherfucker.

“I bet you liked it, didn’t you?”

Her brows knit. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“You know what I’m talking about.” I pushed off the railing and stepped towards her. “Did you come for him too?”

“Oh my God,” She held up her hand, palm out. “I don’t have enough caffeine in my system to deal with you.”

That’s when I realized how stupid I was being. Atlee may press my buttons, but he would never actually touch her. That didn’t stop me from wanting to grab Nova’s hair, when she flicked it over her shoulder and threw the screen door open. But I fisted my hand and held myself back. Then she muttered under her breath.

“I should’ve let Mr. Garibaldi get the shotgun.”

I cocked a brow at her. “What was that?”

Little bitch lifted her chin like a petulant child, and glanced back at me with a smile on her face. “You heard me.”

I sure as fuck did. Know what else I was going to hear? The sweet sound of my hand cracking off her ass.

My hand swung through the air, causing Nova to jar forward and squeak in protest.

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